Abstract
The conceptualization of space and its elements is manifested in language through
diverse linguistic expressions. Space, one of the most signifi cant analytical categories
not only in linguistics, introduces a variety of meanings and conceptual relations in
communicative meaning construction. The paper endeavours to analyse the concept
of the ‘door’ (‘porta’) in Italian discourse as the element of space around us, based on
cognitive grammar of Ronald W. Langacker, with the central focus on conventional
imagery in Italian language. It is an attempt to merge cognitive linguistics with text
linguistics by investigating the concept from a discourse perspective, which takes into
consideration the speech event and its elements, thus providing a broader context.
The results of the research have shown that the concept of the ’door’ (‘porta’), used in
various contexts with different meanings, belongs to four major profi les: entrance, access,
possibility, and the social profi le. Firstly, the ‘door’ is conceptualized as the point
of entrance or one that allows / bans access to a place. Secondly, it conceptualizes
possibility: by opening / closing the door we get / lose a possibility to accomplish our
objectives. Thirdly, the ‘door’ represents social relations and interactions by uniting /
separating people. Finally, the ‘door’ appears in many metaphorical expressions conceptualizing
time. Therefore, we can assume that the abundance of meanings and their
interpretation will depend on the imagination and knowledge of the speaker and the
hearer, the participants in the speech event.
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